TESTING OF BLOOD GROUPING CARDS UNDER FIELD-TYPE CONDITIONS.

Dried blood grouping reagent cards were evaluated by comparing against standard tube test under the following field-type conditions High temperature with and without high humidity, low temperature and after exposure to prolonged water immersion, heat and cold. Generally, the reagents for ABO blood groups on each card system were reproducible, but cold did cause slower reactions. The Rh reagent in particular was slow or unreactive in the cold and considered unreliable. The packaging did allow some water leakage which usually resulted in loss of the card. In field conditions these cards could be used in emergencies when standard methods are not available, but for blood group identification only. As already indicated by the manufacturer, these cards are not yet acceptable for cross-match tests. Author